Monroe County Commissioners bid an unofficial farewell to District 4 Commissioner George Emami when they hosted a luncheon in his honor at the Monroe County Conference Center on Tuesday, Oct. 15.
The luncheon, which featured a catered lunch from Fresh Air Barbecue, was held at the conclusion of Commissioner Emami’s next-to-last Board of Commissioners meeting. About 40 county staffers, including all five commissioners, were in attendance along with Commissioner Emami’s wife Denise and son Baylor.
Following lunch, all four commissioners gave brief remarks about Commissioner Emami.
Commission Chairman Greg Tapley said he and Commissioner Emami didn’t always agree but they maintained respect for one another and have become friends. Chairman Tapley said Commissioner Emami has represented District 4 “strongly.”
Chairman Tapley said of Commissioner Emami: “He’s passionate about what he’s done, passionate about how he’s led and how he’s served.”
District 2 Commissioner Eddie Rowland said Commissioner Emami should be personally credited with expanding high-speed internet throughout Monroe County as well as safely re-opening the county government in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Commissioner Rowland said Commissioner Emami also made a serious effort to clean up blight in High Falls.
District 1 Commissioner Lamarcus Davis said he served alongside Commissioner Emami on the Monroe County Recreation Board prior to either one of them becoming a commissioner. Commissioner Davis said Commissioner Emami brought “great knowledge” to his commission job and said Commissioner Emami’s positions on issues often made him go back and reflect on his own positions.
District 3 Commissioner John Ambrose said he tried to convince Commissioner Emami to stick around for the remainder of his term but couldn’t do so. Commissioner Ambrose said he’s learned a lot from Commissioner Emami, including never to turn down a business card.
In addition to the Commissioners, Monroe County Grant Writer Tammy Selman and Monroe County Community Development Manager Kelsey Fortner each also gave public thanks for Commissioner Emami’s service.
Commissioner Emami’s son, Baylor, a senior at Mary Persons High School, said he doesn’t personally know much about being a commissioner but can attest to Commissioner Emami’s performance as a father.
“He’s a great dude,” Baylor Emami said of his dad.
Commissioner Emami’s wife, Denise, said she’s grateful for the support the county staff and other commissioners have shown to her husband.
“Thank y’all for being by his side in helping him try to make a difference and try to do good things for the community,” Denise Emami said. “And thank all of y’all for your hard work in continuing to do good things for the community.”
Chairman Tapley concluded the ceremony by presenting Commissioner Emami with a special plaque commemorating his seven years of service.
The plaque, which was read aloud by Chairman Tapley, stated: “You have served with the highest standard of excellence and integrity. You are an example and inspiration to us all. Best wishes on your next adventures.”
When it was Commissioner Emami’s turn to speak, Commissioner Emami said he’s learned there is a big difference between running your own small business and being part of a large government organization with four other commissioners equal in power.
“Literally you cannot individually do anything, which is actually very different than when you own your own business, right?” Commissioner Emami asked rhetorically. “You don’t have to sell anybody on the idea. You don’t have to gain consensus. There are personnel issues. You do have to worry about your staff and how they’re going to respond. But I think I grew up a lot over the last seven years. I learned a lot. And a lot of that is thanks to y’all being patient with me.”
Commissioner Emami said he frequently called Commissioner Davis and Commissioner Rowland when he needed to be calmed down. He said he often called Chairman Tapley when he needed deeper insight on other areas of the county outside of his district. And he said he turned to Commissioner Ambrose when he needed to “get fired up” about a topic.
Commissioner Emami said, “I love John Ambrose. You have made the last seven years entertaining. . . John’s a barrel of laughs, but he’s extremely sharp.”
Commissioner Emami said the county already had a lot of good people in place when he took office in 2017, but he said the county has also added a lot more good people thanks to the leadership of County Manager Jim Hedges, who was appointed in 2018.
“A lot of that really does go back to Jim, who’s been willing to fight for the staff here,” Commissioner Emami said. “He’s been willing to represent the people that work here. . . I do appreciate the relationship and what he’s brought to the table.”
Commissioner Emami is slated to serve one final time in a Board meeting when Commissioners hold their next scheduled meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 4. The first meeting in November will be held one day early since Tuesday, Nov. 5 is Election Day. Commissioner Emami’s term will end at midnight on Monday, Nov. 4.
